Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-01-13
LOST MINE FouNb.
gle Rich and Unexpected Discovery OF .
California Prospector.

EhS Rich and Unexpected Discovery OF
California Prospector.
Some of our readers eare familiar
with tradition that the Jesuit fathers
who once conducted the San Buenven-
tura, Santa Barbara, San Ynez, La
Purissima and San Fernando missions
once successfully worked a mine 10
Gated probably in what is now Ventura
County. Tradition has it that the mine
was worked near the beginning of the
present century, afterwhich it was coy
cred with earth and all trace of its
existence destroyed as far as possible,
from which time its. location has been
mystery to all but the few who
worked it and were familiar with its
history.
An old Indian whom the writer
knew, and who died few years ago'in
Santa Barbara County, aged, accora-
ing to the baptismal record of Santa
Barbara Mission, one hundred and five
years, claimed to know where the rich
mine WAS located. but he fully believed
that he 9ould be struck dead should
he reveal it. He said that he and
other friendly Indians who knew of it
when the mouth was covered up and
the mine abandoned, if wesmistake not
ON account of hostile tribes, had taken
q solemn oath not to let any one know
she place where it was located, and
that they had been assured that treach-
cry on their part would result in sure
and sudden death. He, and we be-
lieve all others who professed to know
| any thing about its existence, were
unanimous in saying it was on the side
OF Q mountain, and that it was tunnel.
But those who professed to know any
thing concerning its location have
passed away, and by many it had be-
come to be regarded as mere tradition;
and as much time, money and labor
had been expended in searching for it
many had come to believe its existence
was mythical.
| But short time ago professional
prospector, gentleman thoroughly
1 conversant with the mines of Arizona,
New Mexico and Colorado, tracing the
/ Calico ledge into this county, acct
dentally came upon an old tunnel pehe-
t1,ating the side of the mountain, which
he believes to be the lost Jesuit mine.
He roughly estimates the length to be
three hundred or four hundred feet,
with the sides "coviied'' in various
directions. The gentleman and his
partner were attracted to the spot by
seeing cottonwood trees growing on the
side OF mountain, and after reach
ing tbs spot they found them grow,
ing in the mouth of a tunnel.
Their appearance indicated that cot
tonwood limbs had been placed on end
1t the mouth of the tunnel and covered
with earth, the dampness from within
having caused them to grow. But the
earth caved in, and washed by the rains
Of probably sixty or seventy winters,
exposed the tunnel which had been SC
effiectually concealed.
Near by were found the remains Of
old smelling works, and silver brick
weighing about. one pound, which the
prospectors exhibited to US, was picked
up. This prospector, who is an unusu-
ally Intelligent man, first traced the
Calico ledge into Arizona, then return
ing he traced it into Ventura County.
and believes that he has found ledge
Of mineral far more valuable than the
Waterman or any other mine yet discov-
cred in San sBernardinO County. The
specimens exhibital to us indicated
4 rich ore, some OF them carrying free
gold, and if once developed may be a
source of immense revenue to this
county. The ledge j. an extensive one
and can be easily. worked-Ventur0
i (CGt.) Free Press. -.